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Dramatic to the end, the inaugural Laver Cup came down to the last – and arguably best – of the competition’s dozen matches as Roger Federer fought back to beat Nick c4-6 7-6(6) [11-9] and secure the first title for Team Europe.

The O₂ arena was a wall of noise as the most compelling singles showdown of the weekend delivered a high-wire act of a match, Kyrgios coming within a point of dragging Team World from 9-3 down at the start of the final day into the winner-takes-all doubles decider.

In the end, however, Federer sealed the title in a match tiebreak – the sixth of the weekend, and 18th tiebreak in all – recovering from 8-5 down and saving a match point at 9-8 to secure Team Europe’s triumph.

“I was ready to go – I had to be,” said Federer, who ended up contributing three victories and six points to the hosts’ 15-9 victory.

“That’s what a team member does. The boys played fantastic all weekend, but we knew it could change very quickly on Sunday. The Team World boys have been great, in the doubles especially, and we knew it was going to be tough. I was looking at getting ready for a doubles at the very end. I’m very pleased and relieved that we did win the singles and got it done.”

“I’m most proud of these guys – they fought with their heart and soul and put everything into this,” John McEnroe said in tribute to his underdog squad during the trophy ceremony. “And we were so, so close to pulling this off.”

Australia won a much needed toss to go on the front foot in the third ODI at Indore, opting to bat first forcing the Indian fielders to spend time under the hot sun in Madhya Pradesh.

India were unsurprisingly unchanged heading into this game on the back of an impressive run of 8 straight wins, with Virat Kohli also chasing his 6th consecutive ODI series win as Indian skipper.

Australia made two changes to their side for the game with Aaron Finch replacing Hilton Cartwright at the top of the order, while Peter Handscomb will strengthen the middle order drastically as he takes over wicketkeeping duties from Matthew Wade.

The Canadian Davis Cup team is tied 1-1 with India after the opening day of competition at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-off tie at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. Canada’s No. 2 singles player Brayden Schnur (Pickering, Ont.) fell 5-7, 7-6(4), 7-5, 7-5 in the first rubber to Indian No. 1 Ramkumar Ramanathan, before Canada’s top player Denis Shapovalov defeated Indian No. 2 Yuki Bhambri 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-7(6), 4-6, 6-1.

Ramanathan dispatched Schnur in three hours and 16 minutes, and recorded 20 aces to Schnur’s 14. While the 22-year-old Canadian captured the first set in his first-ever Davis Cup match, Schnur struggled to capitalize on his break point opportunities, only converting 3 of
18 chances. However, he remained optimistic following his first career five-set match, and first tie representing the Canadian flag.

“I’m playing in Edmonton, playing in Canada, my home country. I had the crowd behind me,” Schnur reflected on his Davis Cup debut. “We have a great team, and I think we’re going to pull this tie out. I just told myself I was going to go out there and embrace it and that I was going to beat this guy, but came up short today. Credit to him – he played well.”

Shapovalov came out strong to start the second rubber of the day, taking a two-set lead however Bhambri swung back and took the next two. The marathon three hour and 52 minute-match was finally decided when Shapovalov captured two breaks in the fifth set to secure the win. The 18-year-old rising Canadian talent registered 19 aces during his first career five set match, with his fastest serve of the evening clocking in at 219 km/h.

“I haven’t played too many Davis Cup ties so it’s all pretty fresh for me,” Shapovalov said following his first match as Canada’s No. 1 Davis Cup player. “Obviously the pressure’s different, playing for your country in a team atmosphere. For me, it’s fun to be in these positions. I’m learning every day and getting new experiences. I think we have a really good chance in the doubles. Vasek [Pospisil] and Daniel [Nestor] are a lethal combo, they’ve done so well together so I really believe that they can win tomorrow.”

With the tie now even at one match apiece, Saturday’s doubles match will be critical for both teams. Veteran doubles player Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil are set to team up for the 1 p.m. MT duel with Nestor making his 51st Davis Cup appearance for Canada, while Pospisil is set to play his 15th tie. The pair hold a 5-4 record when playing together in doubles on the Davis Cup stage. They prepare to face another experienced duo in India’s Rohan Bopanna, currently competing in his 14th year of Davis Cup competition, and Purav Raja. Indian captain Mahesh Bhupathi announced on Thursday ahead of the draw ceremony that Raja would replace Saketh Myneni for the tie. Bhupathi and Canadian captain Martin Laurendeau have up until one hour before the match to change their nominations.

Canada’s Stefan Daniel is once again the king of para-triathlon after winning the PTS5 category at the World Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on Friday.

The 20 year-old Calgarian, who won his first world title in 2015, was on a mission to reclaim the honour after being forced to settle for the silver medal behind his top rival Germany’s Martin Schulz, at the sport’s Paralympic debut one year ago.

Daniel put on his work boots in Rotterdam, and took care of business where he smashed the field with a time of 1:01:20 in the sprint distance format.

“It went really well. I tried to stick with Martin Schulz on the swim and I was able to do that,” said Daniel, who added the race was delayed one hour due to rainy weather conditions. I just tried to play it safe. It was technical and wet out there so I tried to stay upright on the bike and in contact.”

With the rain stopping 30 minutes before the race, Daniel battled through wet roads, wind and cold conditions. He exited the 750-metre swim in a pack of three, including Schulz, 20 seconds back of Britain’s George Peasgood.

Brutal weather conditions all week prevented the soft-spoken Canuck from training on the tricky bike course prior to the race, but Daniel followed the game plan set by his coach at the National Performance Centre, Carolyn Murray, to near perfection throughout the 20-kilometre ride.

“It was a bit of a challenge. I didn’t believe it was safe to ride this week so we didn’t do it. This was the first time I did the course so on the first lap I really just had to figure it out. It was fine. Everything was good and I was able to have a good ride,” said Daniel.

Slowly moving ahead of Schulz and Peasgood, Daniel took the lead into second transition and let his running legs do the talking on the five-kilometre jaunt through the streets of Rotterdam.

“The goal was really to stay upright and in contact (on the bike). I headed into T2 in first and I knew right away I had the run legs so I was happy.”

With the Paralympic Champion Schulz dropping out of the run midway through the second lap, it was clear it was going to be Daniel’s day.

The Paralympic bronze medallist from Spain, Jairo Ruiz Lopez, finished two minutes back in second place at 1:03:21. American, Chris Hammer, won the race for the bronze with a time of 1:03:44.

The victory for Daniel is another chapter in what is shaping up to be storybook career for the youngster who was born with bilateral radial club hands, with his right arm significantly more affected.

Raised in an athletic family who share a passion for swimming, biking and running, Daniel began triathlon just five years ago. He first introduced himself to the triathlon world by winning a bronze (2013) and silver medal (2014) in his first two trips to the World Championships.

But it was in 2015 when he truly made his mark on the world during a nearly unstoppable season. He won his first title at the premiere international para-triathlon race – outside the Paralympics – in Chicago, and racked up three golds and one silver during the summer while competing in the deepest classification in the world Para-triathlon circles. To top off his dream season two years ago, he defied all odds to capture the junior men’s able-bodied National Championship crown in Magog, Que.

But each step of this rising stars epic journey has had one soldier in his path to the podium – Germany’s Martin Schulz.

Schulz got the best of him by winning the 2016 Paralympics, forcing Daniel to begin a new mission over the last year to reclaim the world title.

“It was a bit disappointing not to win in Rio and I am happy to have this title back from 2015,” said Daniel. “I trained hard all year. I was really fit and I’m just happy I was able to execute today.”

The Board of Directors of Cricket South Africa (CSA) today approved the recommendation of the National Selection Panel to appoint Faf du Plessis as captain of the Standard Bank ODI squad with immediate effect. He takes the place of AB de Villiers who had resigned as the captain. Du Plessis will thus captain the Proteas in all three formats.

“Congratulations to Faf on his appointment as the natural successor to the ODI leadership,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “He has established himself as one of the best leaders in world cricket and this was reflected in his appointment as the captain for the World XI currently engaged in the T20 Series against Pakistan.”

His first series in charge of the ODI squad will be against Bangladesh next month.

Young talent Matthew Fitzpatrick of England lifted his fourth professional title after prevailing on the third extra hole in a two-way play-off against Australian Scott Hend at the Omega European Masters on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Fitzpatrick marked his best efforts of the week when he fired eight birdies against two bogeys to close with a six-under-par 64, forcing extra time with Hend, who signed for a 68, after the duo were tied on 14-under-par 266 total in regulation play.

Both of them parred the first extra hole after returning to the par-four 18 at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. Hend, who had held the lead since the opening round, missed a 10-footer birdie chance to settle for a second straight par alongside the young Englishman on the second extra hole.

A third consecutive par in the play-off duel proved enough for Fitzpatrick to seal the deal as the 44-year-old Hend hit a wayward drive to put himself back in the fairway bunker and then over the back of the green before settling for a bogey.

Hend, a nine-time Asian Tour winer, was left to rue a missed opportunity after suffering a play-off heartbreak for the second straight year at the Swiss showpiece, which is the only tournament on European soil to be co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

Hend, however, took over the driver’s seat on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his runner-up finish and put himself in the running for a second Merit crown after he became the first Australian to top the money list in 2016.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay returned with rounds of 66 and 68 respectively to settle three shots back in third place at the €2.7 million (approximately US$3.25 million) event.

Fitzpatrick shared after his win, "It was absolutely nerve-wracking out there. I got off to a great start after the front nine and after the birdie on 10, I just felt like I was out there to compete and trying my best to win. It has been a long day.

"It was a great final round. It was the lowest round of the week for me and it’s probably my lowest round in my competition here. It’s always nice to do it on the Sunday. It’s always very special.

"I supposed no one wants to see Hend losing the play-off again but it’s just one of those things and I felt bad about it. I played really nicely to win today. I love this golf course. It’s fantastic. It really suits my game.

"My parents are here this week. It’s really nice for them to witness my win. It’s incredibly great to have them out there with me in tournaments, especially so when it’s a tournament that you win. It’s fantastic."

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked the India Cricket Team for the first three ODIs of the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. The Committee also named the India ‘A’ squad for the two four-day games against New Zealand ‘A’.

MSK Prasad, Chairman, All-India Senior Selection Committee, outlining the way forward said, “The team for the three ODIs against Australia has been selected in line with the rotation policy of the Board and accordingly R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested. The team’s performance during the Sri Lanka tour was outstanding and players like Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, who performed very well are being given an extended run and this will in turn supplement our approach, to build a strong reserve strength, as we prepare for forthcoming tours.”

Meanwhile, the India 'A' team to take on New Zealand 'A' in the upcoming four day games was also announced, and will be led by Indian Test hopeful Karun Nair.

Records fell aplenty in Headingley on Tuesday at young West Indian sensation Shai Hope led the visitors to a series leveling victory against England on a tense final day.

Hope played a phenomenal innings of skill matched with brilliant strokes as the Windies won an epic encounter by five wickets to level the series 1-1 with one match left.

The 23-year-old made 118 not out – with 14 boundaries off 211 balls – to lead the Windies to 322-5. This followed his first innings 147 – making him the first batsman to score two centuries in a first-class match at Headingley – this was the 534th first-class match at the venue and 76th Test match.

He became the third West Indian to achieve the feat of twin tons in a Test in England – the others legends George Headley at Lord’s in 1939, and Gordon Greenidge at Old Trafford in 1976.

This was the highest run chase for Windies in England since the memorable nine-wicket win at Lord’s in 1984. It was their first win in England since 2000. Only Australia with 404 back in 1948, had made more to win in the fourth innings of a Headingley Test.

Hope shared a match-winning stand of 144 with Kraigg Brathwaite, who made 95 off 180 balls with 12 fours, to follow up his 134 in the first innings. Overall he batted for 10 hours in the match.

Jermaine Blackwood then hit 41 off 45 balls with three fours and two sixes as the Windies sped to victory.

The two teams will now meet in the final match at Lord’s, from September 7-11. First ball daily is 11am (6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica Time).

West Indies captain Jason Holder led his team admirably as the Windies continued to chip away against England in the second Test match at Headingley.

Holder played some brave shots in an attacking 43 as Windies made 427 to secure a vital first innings lead of 169. He then produced an accurate spell of seam bowling to take 2-44 as England closed on 171-3 – a lead of two runs in the second innings.

The 25-year-old removed Alastair Cook for 23, and Tom Westley, for eight – as both edged outswingers behind to keeper Shane Dowrich. Later in the final session Shannon Gabriel produced a superb delivery to clean bowl Mark Stoneman for 52, the topscorer so far.

Earlier in the day Holder shared a 75-run partnership with Jermaine Blackwood, who made 49 – with seven fours off 63 balls – to follow up his stroke-filled 79 not out in the first Test.

Lewis Hamilton took the 58th victory of his career, his third at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and fifth of the 2017 season, as the Mercedes superstar closed the gap at the top of the Drivers' Championship down to just 7 points against Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari finished second and fourth in a Belgian GP that was closely contested right down to the wire. Vettel was runner-up, with Kimi Raikkonen fighting back after a penalty to take fourth. Sebastian still leads the Drivers’ classification with a 7 point advantage over Lewis Hamilton.

At the start, Seb was tucked in behind Hamilton and poked his nose alongside at Les Combes, while Kimi was tailing Valtteri Bottas. “We can go with him,” said Vettel over the radio, confident in his pace. At this point, the top five were all within five seconds of one another. The tyres were showing no signs of blistering on the SF70Hs and on lap 10, Sebastian was quickest, while further back, the pit stops got underway. Hamilton pitted at the end of lap 12 to switch from Ultrasoft to Soft, with Bottas coming in on lap 13, also going for the harder tyre.

Ferrari covered its rival’s strategy, calling Seb in next time round. He too opted for the Softs and came out behind Kimi, who was fighting with Hamilton before also pitting. But there was some bad news for the Finn in the shape of a 10 second stop-and-go penalty for not having slowed down under waved yellow flags. “A shame as the car was going really well…” Meanwhile, Seb reduced the gap to the leader to around a second. Raikkonen began moving up the order, passing Ocon to go sixth. With 20 laps to go, he slipped by Hulkenberg on the Kemmel climb and he was fifth.

Then came drama on lap 30: Perez lost his right rear wheel after a collision and struggled to stay on track and the Safety Car was called out. Ferrari immediately called in both its drivers to fit the softest tyres. The rivals reacted, but they went for the Softs and at the restart, the gaps were of course much smaller and the race was on with different compounds.

The Safety Car came in at the end of lap 33. Seb kept the pressure on Lewis, but was unable to get past, although Kimi fared better, as he and Ricciardo jumped Bottas who had run wide. On lap 36, the DRS could be used again but the gap was over the requisite one second. On lap 40, Vettel set the fastest race lap, which wasn’t enough to win, but going into Monza it’s a result that exceeds expectations.

Hamilton shared after his win, "It's amazing to come back into the season and start on the right foot. The Ferrari was very strong today and they put on a fantastic fight. We were both pushing every single lap and there was no room for error or mistake. The Safety Car was driving so slow that keeping tyre temperature was very difficult. On the restart, Sebastian got a good tow, it was very close. It is fun to be racing against another team and Sebastian at his best and the car at its best - that's what racing is all about. I want to thank the team, I would not have been able to win today without them."